PLA drone training near China's Dongsha island lawful: spokesperson

BEIJING -- Drone training conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command near China's Dongsha island is entirely legitimate and lawful, a Chinese mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Peng Qing'en, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to the Taiwan defense department's description of mainland drone activity as "highly provocative and irresponsible."

Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities disregard the facts and the legal principle that Taiwan is part of China, stubbornly clinging to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," Peng said.

Moreover, they repeatedly stage secessionist provocations, making the DPP authorities nothing but absolute "troublemakers," Peng noted.

Peng was also asked about the mainland coast guard's recent law enforcement patrols in the waters near Dongsha Island, after which Taiwan's coast guard authorities issued groundless denunciations and warned of countermeasures.

The patrols aimed to maintain normal navigation and operational order in the relevant waters, safeguard the lives and property of fishermen on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, and were lawful and justified actions, Peng said.

"No matter what the DPP authorities say or do, they cannot change the historical and legal fact that Taiwan is part of China," the spokesperson said, adding that if they dare to provoke trouble in the relevant waters, they must bear all the consequences arising from it.